2002 Saturn LS: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 saturn l. The contact stated that the vehicle began to slow down without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to emit smoke from the hood and suddenly caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. There were no injuries and a report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Lights, Steering · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a turn, smoke emitted from the steering column and the turn signal lever was engaged. The failure occurred whenever the left or right turn signals were engaged. There were no flames present. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v231000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 19, 2015 · Electrical · 175,000 miles · NC · fire

Smoke started coming from the turn signal switch in the steering wheel column it got worse and then the handle melted off and then in minutes the flames ignited and the car was completely inflamed. Right before this happened my daughter drove the car up the street to take my son to the bus stop when she brought it back home the smoke started from the steering wheel column. The car was parked in my driveway about 30 feet from my house

Filed Nov 21, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 128,000 miles · KY · fire

Affected parts drop box not functional. Electrical system is defective. Noticed smoke from turn signal area. Pulled to emergency lane, pulled off rubber flap and smoke was pouring into cabin. Turned car off. Could not see flames, smoke stopped after a few minutes. Needless to say turn signals, headlight dimmer, radio, blower motor, door locks are now all malfunctioning. Already had to pay for bcm replacement as not covered under recalls. This make/model is dangerous and needs all complaints addressed.

Filed Nov 1, 2012 · Brakes, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l100. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as engine power began to reduce independently. The contact merged to the shoulder, shut off and then restarted the vehicle. The contact then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contact and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the brakes, fuel filter and fuel line would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000 and the current mileage was 168,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2010 · Fuel system · 74,000 miles · OH

I own a 2002 saturn l200 with about 74,000 miles. My wife noticed a faint gas smell coming from the rear of the car. A visual inspection by my mechanic didn't show much. However within a few days the leak had gotten much worse so that gas could be seen leaking from the top of the tank. I hate to think what would of happened if my wife and children were in the car and the gas leaked a few more inches toward the muffler. On september 14, 2010 I had the fuel pump module (part 22710031) replaced at a cost of $655.87. I see other saturn owners have had the same dangerous problem. Why has this not be recalled? Last year the timing chain broke and wrecked the engine. Also a common, but as of yet, not recalled problem. At least that wouldn't have set the car on fire.

Filed Jun 27, 2009 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · MI

2002 saturn l 300 6 cyl. Saw smoke coming from my steering column, have reported this to saturn , after having my oil changed. They told me it was dust burning in the steering column, and that it happens occasionally. It has happened twice since then, my child witnessed the smoke coming out of the turn signal lever area on the steering column. My car is now at a saturn dealership, with a bad bcm ( body control module) this is the computer that controls all electrical devices inside the car. The light switch , turn signal, wipers,instrument panel, keyless entry, power doors and windows,radio, car ignition, anti-theft, etc. When I spoke to the service tech today. He stated the two are not related, and that there will be an extra charge to have a tech. Look into the steering column. I told him I would pay the difference because smoke should not come out of the steering column. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the things the bcm controls run through the steering column. They do not want to look at my complaint, they only want to put in a 600 dollar part. If the wires are burnt the bcm still won't work. And the car still won't work or else it may burn out a new bcm. Why is saturn so hesitant to listen to a customers complaint ?

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · TN · fire

The car was brought into the saturn dalership in dec 2003 to fix a recall on the electrical system: ignition: module. The recall on our vehicle was closed. The vehicle had not shown any problems since that time until recently, march 2, 2005. I went to start the car on the 2nd of march and the car was difficult to start. Once started, the car ran very rough and lost power when I tried to give it gas. When my husband tried to drive the car later, the car backfired and seemed to be missing. We had our mechanic come look at initially that night, and he asked us to bring the car to his shop. Although we would have to drive it very slow, he didn't see any reason why the car could not be driven to the shop instead of having it towed. My husband took the car to the shop and en route, the car lost power, the brakes went out, it then began to smoke so much my husband could barely see. He was able to pull the car over and bring it to a stop with the emergency brake. After stopping the car all he could do was get out and run before the car was engulfed in flames. It was a total loss. The recall on the car and the consequences of not fixing the recalled parts reads like a book of the events that occured. The fire is currently being investigated by our insurance company.